For students

Real projects. Real impact. Real experience.

Volunteer with UX Impact Network and help nonprofits and community organizations deliver better digital experiences to the people who need them most.

What you gain

More than a class project

UX Impact Network gives you what no classroom can; supervised, real-world experience with real organizations, real users, and real impact on people's lives.

01

Real-world experience

Work on live projects for real organizations with real users. Your work directly improves digital services that thousands of people depend on.

02

UX, usability & accessibility skills

Develop hands-on proficiency in user research, usability heuristic evaluation, WCAG compliance testing, screen reader evaluation, IA analysis, and accessible design.

03

Emerging tech exposure

Engage with the frontline challenges of the UX field, including designing for AI-driven interfaces, ensuring accessibility in evolving digital systems, and contributing to original research.

04

Portfolio-worthy deliverables

Every engagement produces a professional assessment report you can showcase in interviews and include in your professional portfolio.

05

Expert mentorship

Receive direct guidance and feedback from experienced usability professionals who review your work and accelerate your growth.

06

Professional network & certificate

Connect with partner organizations, fellow practitioners, and industry professionals. Receive a UX Impact Network Certificate of Completion documenting your skills and scope of work.

Your journey

How it works

Apply

Submit your application. If shortlisted, we'll invite you for a short interview to learn about your goals and match you with the right team.

Train

Complete a structured orientation covering WCAG testing, usability evaluation, user research methods, and accessible design principles.

Deploy

Join a team of 3–5 student practitioners, get matched with a partner organization, and begin your supervised engagement.

Deliver

Produce a professional UX and accessibility assessment report, present your findings, and receive your UX Impact Network certificate.

Eligibility

Who can join

UX Impact Network welcomes students from U.S. universities enrolled in graduate or undergraduate programs in:

  • Human-Computer Interaction (HCI)
  • User Experience (UX) Design
  • Web Development and Web Design
  • Information Science and Information Architecture
  • Computer Science (with interest in front-end or accessibility)
  • Creative Technologies and Digital Media
  • Human Factors and Ergonomics

No prior accessibility experience is required. UX Impact Network provides the methodology training and expert supervision. You provide the curiosity, commitment, and effort.

A group of 3 students collaborating
Get started

Apply to join UX Impact Network

Tell us about yourself, your program, and what you hope to learn. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis — no deadline, no pressure.

PDF or Word document, 5MB max